The Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) has been approved as an accreditation body in Western Australia under the Professional Engineer Register (APER) scheme.
The Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety has confirmed AIRAH’s approval as an assessment entity for engineers seeking professional registration in HVAC&R and building services. This expands AIRAH’s APER scheme to four jurisdictions: Queensland, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, and now Western Australia.
The APER scheme allows engineers to be assessed by peers with expertise in mechanical engineering for HVAC&R and building services. It is designed to ensure applicants meet industry-specific professional standards.
In Western Australia, a two-year transition period will begin on July 1, 2025, with mandatory registration for mechanical engineers to commence on July 1, 2027. Registration is being implemented through the Building Services (Registration) Regulations 2011, which outline qualification, experience, and competency requirements.
Applicants must provide certification from an approved assessment entity confirming their qualifications and experience meet or exceed prescribed standards. This aligns with registration practices in other states.
“We are delighted to confirm that the APER program is now available for engineers seeking professional registration in Western Australia,” said AIRAH CEO Sami Zheng, Affil.AIRAH. “We have a strong community of HVAC&R and building services engineers in the state, and we look forward to supporting them with our tailored assessment scheme and continuing professional development offerings.”